•••
T RADE N E W S
Pre-season inspection
of planting equipment
INSPECTIONS OF PLAN
TERS MUST BE DONE
BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SEASON IN
ORDER NOT BE CAUGHT
UNAWARES WITH A
PLANTER PROBLEM
WHICH COULD COST YOU
TIME AND MONEY.
PIETER VAN EEDEN
T
here is a huge variety of
planters on the market and
the inspections will not be the
same for all planters. However, the
information below can be used as
a guideline to service and check
the planter.
28
1. Check single disk fertiliser
openers to determine the
condition of the bearings and
scraper blades as well as the
cover blades. It is also important to check the condition of
the dry fertiliser nozzles and
the cutting action of the fer-
Planter Monitor
• Seed per 100m per row, seed population
• Hectares worked and much more
• Easy to install and maintain
• Fertiliser and turning of axles
• Can be applied to most planters
• Real tough, rust and water resistant
tiliser disk.
2. Fertiliser hoppers should be
checked for damage or cracks.
The condition of augers which
push out the fertiliser should
also be checked and adjustments should be made to fertiliser hoppers to ensure that
fertiliser is moved in equal
proportions to the sides.
3. In the case of liquid systems
all taps, pipes and pumps
should be tested.
4. Drives for fertiliser systems
must be serviced and it is important to check the contact
drive or clutch assembly for
wear and tear and to make
adjustments.
5. In the case of seed units it is
important to check the disk
and bearings as well as blade
scrapers which scrape the
disks. The springs that hold
scrapers against the disks can
also be checked.
6. Bearings on gauge wheels
must also be checked.
7. Bearings on closing wheels
can be checked, as well as the
pull-down springs.
8. It is important to check all
chains and bearings on plant-
ers and to replace where necessary.
9. It is important to check bearings on drive wheels and tyre
pressure.
10. Finger pick-up mechanisms
must be taken apart and
checked and parts should be
replaced where necessary and
adjustments made. It is suggested that graphite powder
be used to ensure the best
lubrication.
11. In the case of vacuum seed
mechanisms we need to attend to seals, brushes and seed
disks. Talcum is suggested for
the lubrication of units.
12. In the case of vacuum planters
it is important to check the
vacuum system and to test
everything, namely hydraulic
couplers, pipes and motors.
13. All planters need to be calibrated and tested before
planting commences.
The servicing and checking of
your planter can be done by your
nearest Senwes Equipment workshop. They also test vacuum and
plateless seed units. Please do not
hesitate to contact them.
Cut losses with PRECISION
Plant with VISION
Process Monitor
for Air Seeders
Proudly Made in
South Africa
Tel: 012 345 3193
Fax: 012 345 6763
Web: www.electrolee.co.za
Email: [email protected]
Sales: [email protected]
• Area
• Speed
• Tacho up to 4 axles
• Alarm on each function
• Easy to install
• Bin / Tank full
• Bin / Tank empty